About 80 days after hatch, young cranes learn the art of flight. The period of time from hatch to flight is the most dangerous for Whooping Crane chick survival. Once able to fly, the young are much safer. They can fly off and escape from predators.

Young are losing their rusty brown feathers for beautiful white feathers like their parents. They are almost as tall as their parents! Now comes a host of new lessons for the chicks. Now these western-flock parents must prepare their young for the next adventure: their first fall migration to Texas. Well done, crane family!

Photo Klaus Nigge